Zaretis itys, the skeletonized leafwing or leaf wing butterfly, is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae.
Subspecies Zaretis itys itys - Surinam Zaretis itys itylus (Westwood, 1850) - Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo)
Description Zaretis itys has a wingspan of about . The upperside of both wings is dull orange. The underside of the wings simulates dried leaves in colour and pattern. The ground colour is usually earthy brown.Sangay National Park
Biology Caterpillars feed on leaves of Casearia and Laetia species (Salicaceae). They usually bind their droppings together with silk as protection from ants.
Distribution This species can be found from Mexico to the Guyanas, Paraguay, Suriname and Brazil.Zaretis, funet.fi
Bibliography Muyshondt, 1973 - Notes on the life cycle and natural history of butterflies of El Salvador. II. Anaea (Zaretis) itys J. Lep. Soc. 27: 294-302 Carlos Guilherme C. MielkeI; Olaf H. H. MielkeII; Mirna M. Casagrande Comparative study of the external morphology of Zaretis itys itylus (Westwood) and Agrias claudina annetta (Gray)
References
External links Neotropical Butterflies